Segregated Proms in Georgia

According to a New York Times article, in south-central Montgomery County racially segregated proms are still being held.

These proms are organized by student committees and parents outside of school. The students separate the proms referring to one as the “black-folks prom” and the other the “white-folks prom.” All students are welcome to come to the “black-folks prom” but white people rarely show up. The “white-folks prom” is strictly monitored allowing no black students to enter.

The students have asked to have one integrated prom but school authorities have rejected the idea. Students do date inter-ratially, but they often face scrutiny from administration and parents.

These two proms were recently held therefore showing racial separation still exists. We’re in the year 2009, why is this still happening?